Top 5 Japanese Puns(ダジャレ) that impress

Maybe not included in the Japanese Puns,,, but hey, it's weird and funny,,,, this counts

There's nothing weirder and more interesting than Japanese jokes (ギャグ) when exploring the Japanese language and culture. One branch of jokes known as Japanese puns （ダジャレ）plays with the meaning and pronunciation of Japanese words. They can be used sparingly but caution is required when using the same set very frequently. They can get old with your buddies. It can also be seen as an 'old thing' that has passed it's generation at times so keep that in mind. But most people won't worry if you are a foreigner; they'll understand your desire to become a 日本人. 

1. 太陽は痛いよー！　たいようはいたいよー  

   Direct translation: The Sun hurts !!!

   Better translation: The Sun..... it burns !! 

  太陽　たいよう　＝　Sun 

  similar kanji is 日　ひ　but this is more versatile since it can be used in other contexts ( days, period of days, daytime and such).

痛む　　いたむ　＝　dictionary form of " to ache/to feel pain " 

痛いよー　is a verb conjugation plus exaggeration 

2. イルカはいるかー？　イルカはいるかー

　　Direct tanslation: Are there any dolphins?

       Better translation: Any dolphins here!? 

　

  海豚　いるか　イルカ　＝　dolphins (for some reason, it tends to be written in Katakana even though it can be written in Kanji) 

在る　いる　＝　dictionary form of " to be/exist " 

いるかー　　　か is the question format and the lengthening is used for exaggeration 

3.  梅はウメー！　　うめはうめー　　

　　　Direct translation: Sour plums are delicious!!

            Better translation: Sour plums rock!!

梅　うめ　＝　sour plum 

美味しい　おいしい ＝    delicious/tasty(pretty formal & slightly feminine )   

   美味い　うまい　＝　delicious/tasty (less formal & slightly masculine )

うめー　                   ＝　delicious/tasty (informal/very masculine)

                                             + exaggeration 

 4. 鯖を捌けー！！　さばをさばけー

             Direct translation: Cut/Trim the mackerel!!

             Better translation: Gut(Fillet) the mackerel!!

鯖　さば　＝　mackerel  

捌く　さばく　＝　to cut/to trim

さばけー　　　　　verb conjugation(order form) + exaggeration

5. 木が気になる！！　きがきになる

　　　　Direct translation: I worry about the tree

                 Better translation: I can't take my eyes off the tree!!

木　き　＝　tree 

気になる　きになる　＝　to be worried ( usually has an objective ) 

Whenever you find something like this, jot it down. And try using it infront of your Japanese friends or teachers. You just might make them chuckle.